Dr. Edwin L. Falloon’s inspiration to become a physician came as a young boy after visiting his sister, who had tuberculosis, in the hospital.
Initially motivated to find a cure for her disease, Dr. Falloon discovered during medical school that his talents and desires leaned more to obstetrics.
In 1950, he set up practice in an office at 94th Street and Francisco Avenue in Evergreen Park across the street from Little Company of Mary Hospital, where he also was on staff.
By the time he retired from that same office 39 years later, he had delivered more than 10,000 infants.
“He said it was such a happy, positive part of medicine and that was how he wanted to spend his life,” said his oldest daughter, Marilyn Griebel.
Dr. Falloon, 86, formerly of Evergreen Park, who also was an ardent supporter of the National Right to Life Committee, died of coronary artery disease Friday, Jan. 28, in Little Company of Mary Hospital.
He was raised on Chicago’s South Side, graduating from Little Flower Grammar School and Calumet High School, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Marion Brett.
By the time he was 3, his father had died. His uncle, Virgil Falloon, aware of his desire to be a doctor, offered to lend him tuition for college. He moved into his uncle’s home in Nebraska and received a bachelor’s degree from Peru State Teachers College and his medical degree from the University of Nebraska.
After graduating in 1944, Dr. Falloon married his high school sweetheart, enlisted in the Army and began an internship at Cook County Hospital. A year later, he was sent to Ft. Ord in California, where he was stationed until the end of World War II. In 1948, he moved to New York to complete his residency in a Syracuse hospital.
In 1950, he opened his practice and moved into a home in Evergreen Park.
He also began a lifelong friendship and association with Dr. Arthur Janecke, now a retired surgeon and family practitioner. Janecke referred patients to Dr. Falloon and he and his wife often dined with Dr. and Mrs. Falloon. Two of Janecke’s grandchildren were delivered by Dr. Falloon, one of whom is named after Dr. Falloon’s wife.
“I think he was one of the finest ethical doctors,” said Janecke. “He was a fine gentleman and Catholic, as am I. We had many philosophical and theological discussions. I learned to respect and admire him, because he followed his Catholic doctrine without a doubt–no birth control pills, no abortions, no tubal ligations.
“He was highly principled and I can only say nice things about him. I referred all my ob/gyn cases to him and I was totally satisfied because he was such an excellent doctor and so ethical. He always looked to the importance of the patient. He had the theory that he needed to treat a patient because God was being mimicked in the patient. He followed his religious beliefs and practice for the benefit of the patient.”
Although Dr. Falloon, who attended mass daily, had firm opinions about religion and politics, he never bullied others with his thoughts. “He was really kind and gentle with a great sense of humor,” said his daughter. “He was very strong in his convictions and yet he was a real person. Even though he was adamant in what he believed, he was still very sensitive.”
To support the National Right to Life Committee, Dr. Falloon spoke on its behalf to community groups and wrote letters to those with influence, such as politicians, she said.
After retiring, he devoted more time to golf, while working on the family’s genealogy and putting together albums of family photos.
His wife died in 1997, and his oldest son, Edwin J., died in 1965.
He is survived by three sons, Robert, Thomas and James; three other daughters, Jeanne Brislen, Marguerite Bliznik and Patricia Schuch; two sisters, Florence Thoel and Fern Drury; a brother, Robert Crowley; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services have been held.
